MOVIES FOR WINTER NIGHTS, PART IV

I just realized that I am writing three movies on women whose titles all begin with “P”...

The second P-title is The Politician’s Wife starring Juliet Stevenson, one of those fine British actresses who has little name recognition but whose face would seem dimly familiar. She plays The Wife, and the movie is posited on the daydream that finally a politican’s Stepford Wife emerges from behind her cardboard façade and takes merciless revenge upon her slime ball husband.

Her husband has no visible scruples, except his own aggrandizement and glory, and he lies, cheats and manipulates his way through the shattered lives of all around him. The Wife steps forward and decides to execute her bloodless revenge upon him. She tells herself, he must be stopped! However, there is a truth shining forth in this story: revenge ultimately takes its revenge upon the revenger. If you watch this film, watch carefully at the close-up of Wife’s eyes in the last shot to see the rot beginning to creep into her soul.

MOVIES FOR WINTER NIGHTS, PART III

It’s hard to know where to start – I’ve seen such a batch of tasty movies lately during these cold Arizona nights by the crackling fire!

The Painted Lady is a Helen Mirren showcase, circa 1997. I loved this movie and found it an engrossing mystery about a washed-up legendary singer (Mirren) who avenges her elderly benefactor's death. In the pursuit of finding his killer – and solving another murder besides! – she insinuates herself into the snobbish world of international art dealers. Featured in her adventures is a fascinating perusal of Artemisia Gentileschi’s violent 17th century masterpiece Judith Slaying Holofernes. There is a feminist theme running through this movie that I found satisfying – not to mention this movie is an entertaining and riveting mystery. One word of caution: this movie may take several nights to finish; it is a long work but rewarding...plus, you will learn a snatch about painting.

CHEASELWICKE

Little Cheaselwicke died last Tuesday.

He had a large tumor in his throat. The vet found it when she had him under anesthesia - she couldn't even get the endotracheal tube in for cleaning his teeth. She phoned me - we had a heartbreaking consultation - I started crying - he was facing months of chemotherapy and strenuous measures that a little cat should never be forced to endure. The choice was clear: I told her to let him go.

She "put him to sleep".

I have been grieving since. He was my best friend. Fifteen years old, he had been with me through the darkest periods of my life. The sudden death of my beloved husband, the agonizing death of my warm and witty father, and my intelligent mother's quick descent into the craziness of Alzheimers...

...and Cheasley was also my best "interventionist" when I was drinking. He used to sit at my feet, looking up at me with that Look he had - critical, observing everything, the wheels turning behind his intelligent eyes, as if he was thinking "Are you really going to keep drinking more wine?" He was also my best buddy ever when I finally got sober in 2000 and faced life without my self-medication of alcohol. He was there to soothe and comfort me.

Last week, one of the last quality times we spent together was when Cheasley got up on my lap, put his paws around my neck and looked close and deep into my eyes. I stared back and for several minutes we just looked at each other, silently, him purring, our hearts connecting.

I love him so.

P.P.S. MERCURY IN RETROGRADE

More Movies in Winter are coming, but first...a weep and a wail!

I have been walking around the house today looking at the clutter creeping back. I want Mercury in Retrograde to return and motivate me to clean up, organize, give things away, re-organize, do my filing, shred crap, please come back! I am calling out to it like a friend I miss: we argued but I was a beter person because of Mercury going backward. It seems like there's no better time for me to get organized.

Please come back! And last alot longer! I'll just grit my teeth and prepare for the worst in driving, computers, electrical, mechanical and communications - if only I can get my home cleaned up!

Tonight I was anxiously studying the calendar for this next glorious period: it will be May 7 - May 30, 2009. I will get my car checked before then, my house re-wired, do all my traveling so I don't have to fly or go anywhere...

Until then, I am have no other choice than to fall back on simple will power and discipline to clean things up and get organized!